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Not much difference, except I think the 6 has cartridge pads. They work well with just about any road brake lever.

This matches what I have read but I have Shorty 4s with cartridge pads on my Marin. I did buy the bike used but it wasn't used much so I am not sure if the pads had been changed over but I would guess no.

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The first response is correct, all the Avid Shorty's (4, 6, 8) use the same forged arms. The 4 uses molded shoes, the 6 and 8 use refillable shoes. They can't be used with linear pull but are fine with any center pull break levers. I'm using the Shorty 4 with Tiagra levers. It's been a very reliable set up...no repairs in two years of commuting.

The first response is correct, all the Avid Shorty's (4, 6, 8) use the same forged arms. The 4 uses molded shoes, the 6 and 8 use refillable shoes. They can't be used with linear pull but are fine with any center pull break levers. I'm using the Shorty 4 with Tiagra levers. It's been a very reliable set up...no repairs in two years of commuting.